The FujiClean System

The FujiClean technology is essentially a wastewater treatment works ‘in a box’ – and is the next generation of water treatment for rural communities of 250 households or less. 

The systems are manufactured by Japanese company FujiClean, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial wastewater treatment solutions. 

It uses electro-coagulation to achieve phosphorus levels that meet environmental consent limits, as well as other key limits for ammonia, BOD and suspended solids/total nitrogen. 

There are two models of FujiClean: 

• The CEN for BOD, suspended solids, ammonia & total nitrogen, which consists of 1 Primary Settlement Tank, 1 anaerobic chamber, 1 aerobic and clarification chamber. 

• The CRX for BOD, suspended solids, ammonia, total nitrogen and crucially, chemical-free phosphorous removal, by electrocoagulation technology, 2 anaerobic chambers,1 MBBR/aerobic chamber and clarification chambers. There are two CRX models – CRX and CRXII. 

The anaerobic zones ensure sludge settlement and denitrification, while the aerobic zones establish an oxidised environment for nitrification and BOD removal. 

The FujiClean is different to standard electrocoagulation systems, as it combines the technology within an aerated zone to increase dissolved oxygen (DO) in the effluent, supporting oxidation of dissolved metals. Within an oxidised environment, it can form stronger, more voluminous flocculations, which improve coagulation and sedimentation. The systems also have sludge re-circulation and backwash features, which ensure residual iron can be returned to the primary chamber for removal during desludging. 

FujiClean has a strong presence in Japan, the USA, Australia and across Europe, with a track record of success across key metrics. While this is relatively new technology in the UK context, it is tried, tested and standard elsewhere in the world.

HEC have installed more than 200 FujiClean plants across the UK, including in sensitive habitats such as the Lake District and high-profile locations such as Chatsworth House. HEC has ongoing projects with United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, several large hotels and campsites, as well as many private homeowners across the UK.

The FujiClean systems supplied by HEC are manufactured in Japan and Germany.

These can vary depending on the exact project specification, but generally, the smaller units are on a 1–2-month lead time, while for the larger units, a lead time of 4 to 6 months should be planned for. As the official UK distributor of FujiClean units, we aim to keep a reasonable stock at our head offices in Herefordshire, for rapid deployment nationwide.

The latest AMP8 investment cycle is the most ambitious yet, with targets to improve the resilience and sustainability of the water sector, and address challenges including getting the sector to net-zero, improving water quality, reducing leakages, and overhauling wastewater management.

The FujiClean systems are well-positioned to help water companies and contractors deliver on AMP8 targets around sustainability, standardisation, phosphorus removal and more:

• Environmentally friendly – deploying a FujiClean means that no chemicals are released into waterways, as opposed to the current widely-deployed chemical dosing systems. 

• Standardisation – the FujiClean goes above and beyond the usual asset standards like SAF and chemical dosing. However, most importantly, HEC is creating standardised ranges of products to suit a broad range of site specifics for flows, loads and permit details. This approach increases efficiencies, replicability and reduces costs.

• Innovation – The FujiClean is an innovative technology from Japan originally developed to combat high nitrogen and phosphorus levels for domestic & small commercial sites. Now, Haigh Environmental is working with water companies and FujiClean HQ in Japan to strengthen its capabilities to serve larger residential, commercial and municipal sites, while still meeting strict permit requirements.

• Cost–effective – with standard templated designs for above and below ground, and partially buried plants, HEC can deploy multiple installations for the price of one standard solution.

With no requirement for chemical dosing, the FujiClean systems are more sustainable, easier to maintain and require fewer inputs than other systems. Additionally, some systems can even run off solar or wind power, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of wastewater management for small rural communities. For CEN systems, the desludge intervals for residential and holiday let sites can be extended to 3-5 years, significantly reducing tankering requirements, compared to alternative package treatment plants.